Molten and solid metal-iodide-doped trialkylsulphonium iodides and polyiodides as electrolytes in dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells

The conductivity and solar cell performance of metal-iodide-doped trialkylsulphonium iodides and polyiodides have been investigated as electrolytes in dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells (DNSCs). Nine different metal-iodide-containing (R 2R′S)I with additional iodine provided overall solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiencies of over 2%, while used as electrolytes in DNSCs in simulated AM 1.5 solar light at the light intensity of 100 W m −2. The highest overall conversion efficiency, 3.1%, was achieved by using the electrolyte (Bu 2MeS)I:AgI:I 2 in the proportions (1:0.03:0.05). The effects from 4-tert-butylpyridine treatment of the electrodes were studied. The effects of metal-iodide doping were also investigated with respect to speciation in the electrolytes and potential influence on electrochemical conductivity.